SABAH’S politics have been eventful and full of action-packed drama. From party-hopping to two chief minister crises (resolved by the court), and now Sabah Umno members have quit the party en bloc.

Nine assemblymen, five MPs, and two senators along with 21 division heads quit the party. This may frustrate and confuse Sabah’s people again. We had thought that the court’s decision on who the legitimate chief minister was could at least calm the situation down and enable the ruling government to implement its economic development policy based on Warisan’s manifesto. But it did not end there. Instead of planning to become an effective opposition and act as the check-and-balance for any development policy, Sabah Umno members quit the party.

Party-hopping and switching allegiance are pretty common in Sabah (not something to be proud of). Their logic for leaving the party is discernible. Firstly, after Umno was dislodged by Pakatan Harapan, it became unstable, unorganised, lacked strong leadership, and tried to forge a close relationship with PAS. Friendliness with PAS does not sit well with Umno Sabah’s leaders because PAS is not a favourable party in Sabah. A close relationship with PAS does not give Sabah Umno an advantage. Sabah’s unique ethnic relations and tolerance does not suit PAS’ ideology. It looks like Umno Sabah’s leaders have lost confidence with the political formula employed by the new successor at the national level. Furthermore, Umno Sabah also lacks a capable state-level leader with a strong vision to ensure its political survival. This triggered them to press the “quit button”.

Ironically, when they decided to leave the party, they pledged to support the PH government and Warisan state government. Aren’t they supposed to pledge to become an effective opposition for the rakyat? Aren’t they supposed to ensure effective policy implementation? If they pledge to support the ruling central and state government, then who will be the opposition? The real reason why they quit the party is obvious – it is all about looking after their bellies (“jaga perut sendiri”).

This is understandable because switching sides in Sabah is pretty much a product of the political patronage culture. Being the opposition, these Umno leaders may have lost access to state resources and even broken the political patronage. This affects political funding and makes it difficult to maintain their political activities.

Previously, these leaders could use the state government machinery to finance their political activities to please their voters. Furthermore, as power-holders they could award projects to their “clients” (academically speaking, “rent-seekers”) which in return could finance their activities.

However, Umno’s loss of Parliament and the state broke the ecosystem of the political patronage. Being the opposition made it hard to maintain their political survival, and so opting out was the best move to maintain their political private interests. Now they are independent leaders, being friendly with PH and Warisan at least gives them the chance of accessing state resources.

The decision to quit from Umno en bloc affects government institutions. These leaders who won under the Umno platform should devise ways to form a strong opposition pact with the other parties like STAR and PBS.

Sabah is in dire need of a development policy. The state recorded the highest numbers in  unemployment (5.7%), highest numbers in poverty (2.6%), and most uneven income distribution. It lags behind in terms of infrastructure, human capital development, and so on. While the Warisan government is planning development to address the socio-economic problem, these leaders should focus on making sure the plan is executed and act as a check-and-balance to the state. A strong opposition can give a new dynamic for policy planning and implementation in Sabah.

Instead of putting Sabahan interests before them, they decided to “play safe” for their own political survival. Politics filled with personal interest will not help Sabah’s economic development. We will only continue to stay behind. – December 19, 2018.

* Firdausi Suffian reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.